Letter from Sabinus to Epagathus
This letter and P.Fay.121 (to Geminus) were written by Sabinus, the son of Gemellus. Since Sabinus addresses them both in the same way his relationship was perhaps the same to them both.
One text, 3 sources · Trismegistos-Text 10787
Letter from Sabinus to Epagathos about mustard and a machine at Chalothis TM 10787Kasr el BanâtAbout A.D. 100
The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 3 records across 3 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →
A business letter from Bellenus Sabinus to his agent Epagathos, instructing him to release 28 artabas of mustard from a storehouse to the letter-carrier while keeping the rest under seal until payment is complete. It also concerns parts for a machine at Chalothis and forcing a carpenter, Sisois, to pay. Written around AD 100 at Euhemeria in the Fayum.
In English machine translation
Bellenus Sabinus to his own Epagathos, greeting.
Please transfer the mustard you have in the storehouse of Sochotes to the man bringing you this letter, and let him carry off 28 artabas, but leave the rest under the seal of both of us until I receive the remainder of the price and write to you again, (then) let him carry it off. Measure the mustard with the four-choinix measure […] receipt (?) […], and tell me how many artabas came out, so that I may know. I have sent you models (?) of 40 large ones for the machine at Chalothis. You will compel Sisois the carpenter to pay up, and you will send to Chalothis, if you find someone among those present who is very trustworthy; and you will send the things for the […] three days before […] at 8 drachmas.
Farewell.
Delivered Phamenoth 6.
Sabinus was the son of Gemellus and wrote another letter to Geminus in the same terms; Epagathos was probably a steward of the family estate. The word translated 'models' (hypodeigmata) is uncertain in sense here, perhaps samples or patterns for machine parts.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Letter from Sabinus to Epagathus). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.
p.fay.122
Βελλῆνος Σαβῖνος Ἐπαγαθῶι τῶι ἰδίωι χαίρειν. εὖ ποιήσεις μεταβαλόμενος τὸ παρὰ σοὶ σίναπι τὸ ἐν τῶι θησαυρῶι Σοχώτου τῶι κομίζοντί σοι τὸ ἐπιστόλιον καὶ ἐάσας αὐτὸν βαστάξαι ἀρτάβας εἴκοσι ὀκτώ , τὰς δὲ λοιπὰς ὑπὸ τὴν ἀμφοτέρων σφραγῖδα ἐάσας ἕως ἀπολαβὼν τὸ λοιπὸν τῆς τιμῆς πάλι…